Proactive behaviour implies taking initiative and mastering unexpected situations, and hence, is desirable in different situations. The present thesis includes three empirical studies intended to understand the consequences of proactive behaviour, as well as the factors that contribute to proactive behaviour at work and when facing unemployment. More specifically, whether job design, as measured by objective work task analysis, provides conditions conducive to proactivity in the workplace and when facing unemployment. The results of proactive behaviour during unemployment were also of interest. Study I focused on the influence of job design on individuals’ personal initiative and confidence in their ability when facing unemployment. Participants were employees at a downsizing Swedish assembly plant. Confidence in one’s ability mediated the relationship between job design and personal initiative, and personal initiative affected job search behaviour when advised to be dismissed. Study II, a longitudinal exploration, focused on the predictors of re-employment in the same group as in Study I. Men were more than nine times as likely as women to obtain jobs within 15 months. Individuals without children were more than seven times as likely as those with children to find work within 15 months. The desire to change occupation and willingness to relocate also increased the probability of being re-employed, whereas anonymous-passive job-search behaviour and work-related self-efficacy actually decreased the probability of re-employment. The number of job applications did not impact later re-employment. Study III analysed job design as a predictor of group initiative and self-organisational activities in semiautonomous industrial work groups. An input-process-output model showed that group processes such as reflexivity mediated the impact of job design on proactivity in work groups. Taken together, these studies suggest that work task analysis a useful tool, since it provides access to information that cannot be obtained with self-report measures. Job design indirectly affected proactivity both in the face of unemployment, and in industrial work groups. Further, it is worthwhile to continue identifying the antecedents and consequences of proactivity, as this seems to be an important factor regarding work and unemployment.

Cette thèse présente le modèle de recherche d’emploi en partant du modèle élémentaire pour aboutir à un modèle destiné à analyser les mécanismes d’incitation à la reprise d’emploi. Le mécanisme analysé est celui du Revenu de Solidarité Active. La première partie sert à mettre en place les éléments théoriques nécessaires aux modèles de la seconde partie. On part du modèle élémentaire en élargissant le débat aux modèles plus complexes et moins restrictifs en termes d’hypothèses. Cette partie est ponctuée d’analyses empiriques effectuées sur les données de l’Enquête emploi de 2006. La seconde partie tente d’analyser les effets du RSA sur le comportement de recherche des travailleurs à bas niveau de qualification dans le cadre du modèle de recherche d’emploi en utilisant les méthodes de simulations numériques calibrées sur l’Enquête emploi pour obtenir des résultats. / This thesis presents the job-search model, starting from the elementary model to reach a model analyzing mechanisms designed to enhance employment recovery. This study concerns the French active solidarity income mechanism (Revenu de Solidarité Active or RSA). The first part will allow us to implement the theoretical elements we will need in the second part. In the first part, we will start with the elementary model, and then widen the debate to more complex models and less restrictive assumptions. We will punctuate this part with empirical analysis based on the 2006 employment survey data. The second art is aimed at analyzing the effects of the RSA on the job search behavior of workers, especially those with low levels of ualification. We will use numerical simulation methods calibrated on the employment survey in order to achieve results.

A dissertação tem como objeto de estudo a procura de trabalho por meio de instituições do mercado de intermediação. Para desenvolver a análise assume-se que a busca de emprego não pode ser reduzida a um fenômeno econômico, baseado no cálculo racional, que une ofertantes e demandantes de vagas; nem pode ser tratada apenas como um indicador estratégico para caracterizar a situação de desemprego, como o faz uma certa sociologia. Ao contrário, assume-se que ela é uma experiência social, moral e subjetiva e que, nesse sentido, é fundamental entender os processos de interação que se dão na situação em que ela transcorre, bem como a forma como ela é vivenciada no cotidiano pelos demandantes de trabalho. A análise se baseia num estudo empírico de tipo qualitativo conduzido, entre 2005 e 2009, na região da Rua Barão de Itapetininga, no Centro de São Paulo, o principal espaço de concentração de agências de emprego da Região Metropolitana, ela mesma o maior mercado de intermediação no Brasil. Observação de tipo etnográfico, entrevistas com os agentes envolvidos na situação e análise de material documental foram as técnicas mobilizadas na análise. / This dissertation aims to understand the process of searching for a job by means of the labor market intermediaries. Our theoretical approach refuses both the type of economic analysis that describes it as a mere rational behavior linking job seekers and employers, and the current sociological perspective that reduces it to a crucial variable on the measurement of the unemployment situation. We assume a different sociological point of view which approaches the search for a job as a social, moral and subjective experience; in this sense, it has to be analyzed taking into account its context, as a negotiated situation, and the job seeker perceptions, experiences and discourses. The empirical research took place during four years (2005 to 2009) in the Barão de Itapetininga street, Sao Paulo downtown, the most important cluster of labor market intermediaries in São Paulo Metropolitan Region, which concentrates itself the most important segment of the Brazilian intermediation market. Ethnographic observation, interviews, analysis of documents and secondary data were the main sources in the fieldwork

A dissertação tem como objeto de estudo a procura de trabalho por meio de instituições do mercado de intermediação. Para desenvolver a análise assume-se que a busca de emprego não pode ser reduzida a um fenômeno econômico, baseado no cálculo racional, que une ofertantes e demandantes de vagas; nem pode ser tratada apenas como um indicador estratégico para caracterizar a situação de desemprego, como o faz uma certa sociologia. Ao contrário, assume-se que ela é uma experiência social, moral e subjetiva e que, nesse sentido, é fundamental entender os processos de interação que se dão na situação em que ela transcorre, bem como a forma como ela é vivenciada no cotidiano pelos demandantes de trabalho. A análise se baseia num estudo empírico de tipo qualitativo conduzido, entre 2005 e 2009, na região da Rua Barão de Itapetininga, no Centro de São Paulo, o principal espaço de concentração de agências de emprego da Região Metropolitana, ela mesma o maior mercado de intermediação no Brasil. Observação de tipo etnográfico, entrevistas com os agentes envolvidos na situação e análise de material documental foram as técnicas mobilizadas na análise. / This dissertation aims to understand the process of searching for a job by means of the labor market intermediaries. Our theoretical approach refuses both the type of economic analysis that describes it as a mere rational behavior linking job seekers and employers, and the current sociological perspective that reduces it to a crucial variable on the measurement of the unemployment situation. We assume a different sociological point of view which approaches the search for a job as a social, moral and subjective experience; in this sense, it has to be analyzed taking into account its context, as a negotiated situation, and the job seeker perceptions, experiences and discourses. The empirical research took place during four years (2005 to 2009) in the Barão de Itapetininga street, Sao Paulo downtown, the most important cluster of labor market intermediaries in São Paulo Metropolitan Region, which concentrates itself the most important segment of the Brazilian intermediation market. Ethnographic observation, interviews, analysis of documents and secondary data were the main sources in the fieldwork

<p> </p><p>The aims of this qualitative study are threefold: 1) to explore, describe and analyze the paths for accessing the Swedish labour market among a group of women of Latin-American origin; 2) to address the question about role of the women’s social networks in relation to the processes of gaining/maintaining employment; and 3) to present how the participant’s perceive their job careers within the Swedish labour market. Individual semi-structured interviews constituted the primary source of data collection. Conceptualizations from labour market theories and social capital theories were laid out to bring relevant understandings. The sampling strategy used was ‘criterion’. The results shown the interaction of personal and structural aspects in the job-search process, jobs attained and perception of occupational careers. Bonding, bridging and linking social capital are relevant concepts to understand the extent to which women obtain information and mobilize resources in the job-search process. Perceptions regarding career paths are tied to the participant’s expectations on the jobs they have looked for, the meanings they attribute to their occupations and the learning derived from their working experiences. Further research on networking at the workplaces and its impact on job satisfaction, job attachment, and self-esteem, are suggested. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>

The aims of this qualitative study are threefold: 1) to explore, describe and analyze the paths for accessing the Swedish labour market among a group of women of Latin-American origin; 2) to address the question about role of the women’s social networks in relation to the processes of gaining/maintaining employment; and 3) to present how the participant’s perceive their job careers within the Swedish labour market. Individual semi-structured interviews constituted the primary source of data collection. Conceptualizations from labour market theories and social capital theories were laid out to bring relevant understandings. The sampling strategy used was ‘criterion’. The results shown the interaction of personal and structural aspects in the job-search process, jobs attained and perception of occupational careers. Bonding, bridging and linking social capital are relevant concepts to understand the extent to which women obtain information and mobilize resources in the job-search process. Perceptions regarding career paths are tied to the participant’s expectations on the jobs they have looked for, the meanings they attribute to their occupations and the learning derived from their working experiences. Further research on networking at the workplaces and its impact on job satisfaction, job attachment, and self-esteem, are suggested.

In the recent years, companies began emphasize the employees¡¦ cognition on happiness and well-being to recruit and retain the talents and human resources. This study is to explore the factors influencing the employee¡¦s well-being cognition and the impacts of attitudes and behaviors from the employees¡¦ well-being. This study adopted the high-performance human resource practice (HPHRP) in organization level as the independent variable and the organizational identification, job involvement and job searching behavior in individual level as dependent variables. The employee¡¦s well-being was a mediator between the independent and dependent variables to examine the mediating effects. This research employed the questionnaire suvey to collect the data. To avoid the common method variance, the questionnaire is divided into two parts, one for the HR professionals, and another on for the general employees. The data was collected from fifty companies. Valid questionnaires from fifty HR professionals and 461 employees are included. The Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was used in the main hypotheses tests to examine the relationships among the variables. The results showed that the HPHRP of company has significant positive influences on employee¡¦s well-being, organizational identification, and job involvement, and has significant negative influence on job search behavior. Employee¡¦s well-being has positive influences on organizational identification and job involvement. Employee¡¦s well-being is also a mediator between the relationships HPHRP and organizational identification and job involvement of employee. Based on the results, this study proposed some empirical and practical suggestions.

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Nous orientons nos travaux vers l’analyse des effets d’une individualisation de l’accompagnement proposé auxdemandeurs d’emploi, en fonction de leurs problématiques vocationnelles. Il s’agit de considérerl’individualisation sous la forme d’un accompagnement adapté aux problématiques vocationnelles desindividus, en partant de l’idée que ceux-ci ne bénéficient pas tous au même niveau d’une prestation d’aide à larecherche d’emploi. Nous postulons ainsi qu’un accompagnement à la recherche d’emploi différenciépermettra de mieux prendre en considération les attentes et les besoins des bénéficiaires, et d’accroîtrel’efficacité de leurs démarches. Les actions proposées aux personnes seront en effet a priori plus pertinentes sielles sont mises en oeuvre en fonction de leurs problématiques personnelles et vocationnelles. Ainsi, nousavons travaillé dans une première partie de nos travaux de thèse à la présentation d’une typologie desproblématiques vocationnelles de demandeurs d’emploi. Un protocole évaluant le niveau de ressourcespsychologiques, de dépression, de soutien social, de sentiment d’efficacité personnelle, d’estime de soi,d’indécision et d’employabilité a été proposé à 323 participants. Les résultats obtenus mettent en évidence troiscatégories de problématiques vocationnelles, permettant d’engager une réflexion sur les modalités d’unaccompagnement différencié. Dans un second temps, nous avons étudié les attentes et les besoins desdemandeurs d’emploi en matière de dispositifs d’aide à l’insertion professionnelle. Adoptant un point de vuequalitatif, nous avons mis en évidence auprès d’un échantillon de 16 demandeurs d’emploi, leur répartition entrois axes distincts. Les dispositifs doivent ainsi permettre de retrouver rapidement un emploi, de maîtriser destechniques de recherche d’emploi, et de formaliser un projet professionnel pertinent vis-à-vis du marché del’emploi. Ces deux expérimentations nous ont permis, dans un dernier temps, d’étudier, à l’aide d’uneapproche “interaction caractéristique traitement”, les effets d’un dispositif d’aide à la recherche d’emploidifférencié fondé sur la théorie du conseil adaptatif. Si cette étude montre les effets significatifs d’un dispositifd’insertion professionnelle vis-à-vis des problématiques vocationnelles des participants et de leur niveau dedynamisation, elle ne permet pas de mettre en évidence l’effet accru d’un conseil différencié. Les limites denos travaux, ainsi que leurs apports théoriques et pratiques sont discutés en conclusion, tout en ouvrant denouvelles perspectives de recherche. / We focus our work on analyzing the effects of adaptive career counseling proposed to job seekers, according totheir vocational problems. The individualization will thus be considered as an appropriate support to vocationalproblems of individuals, based on the idea that these job seekers do not all have the same level of benefits ofcareer counseling. We can highlight the idea that adaptive counseling will better take into account the needsand expectation of the beneficiaries, and increase the effectiveness of their efforts. The intervention will bemore relevant if they are implemented according to their personal and vocational problems. Thus, the first partof our thesis work aims at defining a taxonomy of people’s career profile during their career counselingsessions. Some 323 clients have consequently been submitted to a test protocol assessing their level ofpsychological resources, social support, depression, self-esteem, indecision, but also their feeling of selfefficacyand their abilities required to be hired as trustworthy employees. The given results allow us to put theemphasis on three distinct categories of career profile who permit to regard adaptive counseling as an answerto reemployment. In a second part, we have put forward the expectations and needs of job seekers as to supportemployability devices. Adopting a qualitative point of view, we have emphasized their distribution in threeseparate axes. Their devices must help them to quickly find a job, to have total control of the job-seeking toolsand to establish a suitable professional project. Finally, those two experimentations have allowed us to studythe degree of change for the job seekers who have been attending an individualized career counselingworkshop based on the theory of the adaptive counseling theory. If the results shows significant effects onpeople’s career profile and on their investment while searching for a job, it does not allow to induce a moresignificant effect by these last. The limitations of our work, as well as their theoretical and practicalcontributions are discussed in conclusion, while opening up new opportunities for future researches.

L’objectif de cette thèse est de présenter quatre essais en économie comportementale et expérimentale sur prise de décision dans le risque et l’ambiguïté. Le premier essai présente une synthèse et un point de vue sur la représentativité des résultats expérimentaux en matière de préférences : préférences sociales et préférences concernant le risque et le temps dans les pays développés ainsi que dans les pays en voie de développement. Le deuxième essai explore expérimentalement l’effet du risque et de l’ambiguïté sur le comportement de recherche d’emploi en horizon infini. Les résultats montrent qu’en risque et ambiguïté, les salaires de réservation sont inférieurs aux valeurs théoriques et diminuent au cours du processus de recherche. De même, les sujets se comportent comme des agents neutre à l’ambiguïté. Le troisième et quatrième essai étudient l’effet du contexte social et la corrélation des paiements sur les attitudes face au risque et à l’ambiguïté respectivement dans le domaine de gain, perte et le domaine mixte. Les résultats montrent que l’introduction du contexte social a un effet significatif sur les attitudes face au risque dans les trois domaines. Néanmoins, la corrélation des risques a un effet sur les attitudes face au risque seulement dans le domaine mixte. Les attitudes face à l’ambiguïté varient selon le domaine. De même, la corrélation des paiements diminuent l’aversion à l’ambiguïté. / The objective of this thesis is to present four essays in behavioral and experimental economics on decision-making under risk and ambiguity. The first essay presents a synthesis and a point of view on the representativeness of experimental results regarding individual preferences: social preferences and risk and time preferences, in developed countries as well as in developing countries. The second essay explores experimentally the effect of risk and ambiguity on job search behavior in an infinite horizon. The results show that in risk and ambiguity, reservation wages are lower than the theoretical values and decrease during the search process. Similarly, subjects behave as ambiguity neutral agents. The third and fourth essay examine the effect of the social context and the correlation of payments on attitudes towards risk and ambiguity respectively in gain, loss and mixed domain. The results show that the introduction of the social context has a significant effect on attitudes towards risk in all three domains. Nevertheless, the correlation of risks has an effect on risk attitudes only in the mixed domain. As for ambiguity, ambiguity attitudes vary across domains. The correlation of payments decreases ambiguity aversion.